CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (July 7, 2024) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole family.

We update the Pioneer Calendar page every week so check back often to find out what’s going on near you.

If you’d like to submit your event to the Pioneer Calendar page, please send email to us at Calendar@pioneerpublishers.com.

In the Community

Get to Know Clayton Valley Village. Potential new members and volunteers  can learn more about the non-profit service for Clayton and Concord seniors, 11 a.m.-noon July 19, Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main St. Coffee and dessert will be served. RSVP at https://claytonvalley.helpfulvillage.com/events/3623.

Blues and Brews Festival. Beer garden, music and food, pre-party 6-9 p.m. July 19, and main event 3-9 p.m. July 20, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. Sponsored by Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. For more information, visit www.bluesandbrewsfestival.com.

Clayton Valley High School Class of 1974 Reunion. 6-10 p.m. Aug. 24, Zio Fraedo’s, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. For details, email Lori Fogerson Vella at lorivella1@gmail.com.

An Intimate Gathering with Author Victor Villaseñor. From struggling to read to becoming an author, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 11, Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. Sponsored by Monument Impact. Get tickets here.

“Stronger Together” Gala. A benefit from Monument Impact, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 12, Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd.  Early bird and VIP tickets on sale here.

Off the Grid. Featuring food trucks and live music, 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays until October, on the lawn by Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. For details, visit www.pleasanthillca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=668.

Concord Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays year-round and 4-8 Thursdays June 6-Sept. 26, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Diablo Valley Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Shadelands Business Park, North Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Upcoming special events include Kids’ Day on July 20 and the Watermelon Festival on Aug. 17. For more information, see @diablovalleyfarmersmarket, 800-806-FARM or CAFarmersMkts.com.

Community Concerts

Veranda Unplugged. 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through July 31, Pavilion Fountain Park off Diamond Boulevard in Concord. For bands and more information, visit https://shoptheveranda.com/event/Veranda-Unplugged-2024/2145581844.

Music & Market. Farmers Market begins at 4 p.m. Thursdays, with music at 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 26, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. July 11: Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings. July 18: Zepparella. July 25: Dirty Cello. Aug. 1: Steve Snyder’s Big Band. Aug. 8: Aja Vu. Aug. 15: Maya Latin Roots. Aug. 22: Rag Dolls. Aug 29.: Mitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces. Sept. 5: The Big Jangle. Sept. 12: Twist on Taylor. Sept. 19: Annie Sampson. Sept. 26: Queenology. For details on the bands, visit www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/11424/Music-and-Market-Postcard-2024.

Concerts in The Grove. 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Aug. 31, sponsored by the city of Clayton, downtown Clayton. July 20: Nick Rossi & the Swing Six +1. Aug. 3: Pride & Joy. Aug. 17: Club 90. Aug. 31: East Bay Mudd. For more information, download the PDF.

Sunset by the Lake Summer Concert Series. Every other Sunday through Sept. 1, plus food trucks. July 21: Dirty Cello. Aug. 4: Hot for Teacher, plus Family Fun Zone. Aug. 18: The Uninvited. Sept. 1: Zebop. For more information including food truck schedule, go to www.pleasanthillca.org/summerconcerts.

Clubs

Women Marines Association. The Bay Area chapter meets 11:30 a.m. every third Saturday, usually at Harry’s Hofbrau, 14900 E. 14th St, San Leandro. For more information, visit https://wmaca3.org or contact Janet Johnson at 925-890-4583.

Concord Library

The theme of the summer reading program is “Read, Renew, Repeat,” offering a wealth of activities for all ages. The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. For more information, call 925-646-5455 or visit cclib.org.

Clayton Library

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. For more information on any of these events, call 925-673-0659 or visit ccclib.org/events.

Summer Reading Program. Focusing on conservation, animals and getting invested in protecting the ecosystems, through Aug. 3. For all ages. Every completed entry is eligible for a free book and a chance to win prizes.

Camp Clayton: STEAM. Children can join us for STEAM-focused events, drop-in programs and take-home activities, 2-3 p.m. July 10. No registration required. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Chair Yoga & Meditation. Low-impact chair yoga for adults followed by guided meditation, 10:15-11:15 a.m. July 11. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Lapsit Storytime. For children aged 0-3, 11-11:15 a.m. Thursdays. Children must attend with caregiver.

Toddler/Preschool Storytime. For children ages 2-5, 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays. Children must attend with caregiver. Stay and play toys available afterward.

The Arts

“La Voix Humaine” and “Dido & Aeneas.” A double bill of short operas from Festival Opera, 7:30 p.m. July 12 and 2 p.m. July 14, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, visit www.festivalopera.org/la-voix-dido.

“Tribute to Tina.” An art exhibit in memory of Tina Turner, through July 12, JOR Fine Art Gallery, 1026 Oak St. No 102, Clayton. For more information, visit jorfineartgallery.com.

“Splendid Surroundings.” Ten artists featuring the open spaces of Mount Diablo and the surrounding foothills, through Aug. 11, Shadelands Ranch Museum, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Walnut Creek. Part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the first acquisition of open space in Walnut Creek. For more information, call 925-935-4311 or visit valleyartgallery.org.

“My Place in the Sun.” Featuring oil paintings by Maria SantoStefona, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Aug. 3, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

Headliner Series. Includes a Fireside Chat with Rita Moreno Sept. 18, Mandy Patinkin in Concert Feb. 20, 2025, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem March 14-15, 2025, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For the full schedule and ticket info, visit www.lesherartscenter.org.